Large Projects Application Engineer

About the Role

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact with a company that values ownership, innovation, and service? At Cogent, a 100% employee-owned company, we provide creative and innovative fluid processing solutions that power essential infrastructure across the Midwest.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically savvy Large Projects Applications Engineer to join our Large Projects team. In this role, you will help turn complex customer requirements into equipment selections, competitive proposals, and coordinated project deliverables. You will work with sales, project management, customers, and manufacturing partners from initial inquiry through delivery, supporting pumps and packaged equipment across a wide range of industries.

Our customers span industrial plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities, commercial buildings, oil and gas markets, and contractors. Together, our employee-owners help build healthy and prosperous communities through engineered solutions that matter.

What You’ll Do

As a Large Projects Applications Engineer, your focus will be on developing practical engineered solutions through careful specification review, accurate estimating, and proactive technical coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with sales and project management to define project scope and prepare accurate, competitive technical proposals
• Review specifications, drawings, datasheets, contracts, and addenda to identify equipment requirements, scope gaps, and project risks
• Select and evaluate pumps and related equipment using flow, pressure, fluid properties, materials, motor requirements, and operating conditions
• Coordinate package requirements for skids, piping, instrumentation, controls, tanks, and oil/water separators with vendors and internal teams
• Prepare vendor requests for quotation and compare offers for technical compliance, scope, pricing, and delivery
• Build detailed estimates covering equipment, fabrication, labor, testing, freight, and required services to support project pricing and margin objectives
• Document technical clarifications, exceptions, and requests for information; evaluate changes for cost, schedule, and equipment impacts
• Prepare and review submittals, equipment datasheets, vendor drawings, and order documents against the agreed project requirements
• Coordinate with manufacturers and engineering resources to resolve design questions, equipment interfaces, and required engineering reviews
• Track testing, inspection, coating, and documentation requirements; coordinate vendor responses and customer approvals with the project team
• Support procurement and project handoffs, maintaining clear scope records, document revisions, and communication to meet deadlines
• Coordinate spare parts, operation and maintenance manuals, and installation and storage information to support delivery and long-term equipment reliability

Skills & Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, equipment drawings, and project requirements
• Understanding of fluid handling fundamentals and the ability to evaluate equipment performance and application needs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel for estimating, technical comparisons, and tracking project requirements
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple bids and project deadlines
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with a collaborative, customer-service mindset
• Analytical thinker and self-starter who takes ownership of technical questions and follows through on solutions

Preferred:

• Experience in applications engineering, engineered equipment sales, estimating, or technical project support
• Familiarity with pumps, motors, packaged skids, controls, tanks, or other fluid handling equipment
• Experience supporting industrial, municipal, energy, or construction projects and working with engineering firms and contractors
• Experience with vendor RFQs, specification compliance reviews, bid costing, and technical submittals
• Familiarity with equipment standards, inspection and testing requirements, and fabrication or coating specifications
• CAD familiarity and experience with ERP or quoting/scheduling software

Why Work With Us?

Cogent is a growing organization with a long-term focus on delivering engineered solutions, equipment sales, repair services, installation, and proactive system support. We are driven by a mission to minimize customer downtime, improve system efficiency, and deliver the best long-term value.

At Cogent, you’re not just an employee—you’re an owner. Our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) empowers every team member to think and act like a business partner. Your contributions matter here.

We Offer:

• Employee Ownership (ESOP)
  • Share in our success
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit-Sharing Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• Generous PTO, Paid Holidays & Volunteer Time Off
• Career Development & Advancement Opportunities
• A Collaborative Culture that Values Innovation and Accountability

Make Your Mark with Cogent

Grow your technical career, collaborate with a high-performing team, and help deliver the complex projects that keep our communities running. Be part of a company that invests in you, values your input, and celebrates shared success.

Apply today and help us build something exceptional — together!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.